Called2Action has made its picks in the Republican primary.

The conservative Christian group in Wake County has created a sample Republican ballot for members to use when voting next Tuesday. (It did not create a Democratic ballot.)

In statewide races, the group endorsed John McCain for president, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole, Fred Smith for governor, Robert Pittenger for lieutenant governor, Eric H. Smith for superintendent of public instruction, John M. Tyson and Dean R. Poirer for state Court of Appeals.

In local races, it also endorsed Augustus Cho for the Congressional seat held by U.S. Rep. David Price and Marty E. Miller for District Court Judge.

The National Rifle Association endorsed Robert Pittenger.

According to NRA member Katy Benningfield's blog, the gun rights group's Political Victory Fund endorsed Pittenger in the Republican primary for lieutenant governor.

It also endorsed Judge John Tyson for re-election to the state Court of Appeals.

A number of notables were in the audience at the Wake County Republican Party's annual President's Day Dinner tonight.

U.S. Sens. Richard Burr and Elizabeth Dole; U.S. House candidates B.J. Lawson and Augustus Cho; state Sens. Richard Stevens and Neal Hunt; Reps. Nelson Dollar and Marilyn Avila; and state House candidates Bryan Gossage, Eric Weaver and Paul Terrell.

Also at the dinner: Gubernatorial candidates Fred Smith, Pat McCrory and Bob Orr; lieutenant governor candidates Greg Dority and Bob Pittenger; and attorney general candidate Bob Crumley.

A few judges and judicial candidates were also at the audience: state Supreme Court Justice Bob Edmunds, Appeals Court judges Ann Marie Calabria and Donna Stroud, Appeals Court candidates John Tyson and Bob Hunter, Wake County District Court Judge Jennifer Green.

And a few local officials: Wake County commissioners Kenn Gardner and Joe Bryan and Register of Deeds Laura Riddick. Wake GOP chairman David Robinson came back to the podium later to note that he had left omitted "an individual who is most likely armed" — Wake Sheriff Donnie Harrison.

Another noted guest was in the audience: Former U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms' wife, Dot.

The loudest applause of the night went to Helms, Harrison and Avila, the former county chairwoman.

Two Triangle-area District Court judges have announced that they plan to run next year for the N.C. Court of Appeals, Andrea Weigl reports.

Wake District Court Judge Kristin Ruth plans to seek the seat currently held by Court of Appeals Judge John Tyson. District Court Judge Pat DeVine, who holds court in Orange and Chatham counties, plans to run against incumbent Douglas McCullough.

Both women have served on the District Court bench since 1998.